One less vote for Obama

My mother, who was 79, passed on September 11 this year. For the first time in decades, she had registered to vote, and supported Obama big time. She tried so hard to make it to early voting, but the fates were against her.

Now this woman had survived the great depression as a youngster. She had seen family go into 4 major conflicts, saw the murder of so many of our young leaders. She had become quite the pessimist when it came to politics. Her last presidential vote was for Kennedy. "And you see what they do when we get a good one in the White House" was her comment when I would ask about her not voting.

When I was a teen and pushing for the end of the Vietnam conflict, she would often tell me that it didn't matter what we did, the big shots in Washington would do what they wished. As I continued to be a progressive and get involved in things that mattered to me, I would sometimes see a spark of activism from her. She went to a protest to help save a local fire station with me once. I asked why she did it, and she admitted that perhaps we could do something on the local level. But she would still refuse to vote.

Her opinion was somewhat proven true in 2000 and 2004 when the elections were stolen. "See, I told ya they won't let a Democrat in," was her smug answer.

So it really surprised me when she started to listen to the primaries and would be cheering for Obama. She started watching "Countdown" with me every night and would even remind me if I was busy. She had us record Obama's speeches for her so she could listen again and again.

She wanted to go to the speech in Denver where Obama accepted the nomination, but by then she was getting too weak. She watched with great interest on the television, though. "Now this is a man we can believe in." she would say.

Even though her family came from the racist part of the South, she never was that way. She felt that Obama's skin color was not important, only what was in his heart. And he spoke to her. He told of ideas that were close to her own. Most important though, he gave her hope for her children and grandchildren to have a better life.

A few days before her death, she told me that she wished she could have lived to see Obama in the White House. She knew she wasn't going to make it, but she wanted to see it happen. And the most amazing was that she had wanted to vote! First time in over 40 years!

It looks like if things go as they are, Obama will do as she had hoped and become President of the United States, even without her vote. But I am also sure that she will be watching and cheering like she did at his nomination.

So Senator, and soon to be Mr. President, you gave an old cynical woman hope, and a reason to get involved. Thank you for that.

I'm glad that your mother got to leave this world seeing a glimmer of hope on the horizon.

lady she was. You know you haven't lost her. You just can't see her, except in your memories. But she's with you always.

And because of you, she's with us, too. Thank you.

...sorry for your loss!

I hope (and know in my heart) that your mother's wishes will come true!

Thank you for writing this.

:hug:

On election day you'll know your mom would be pleased.

(((((((HUGS)))))))

to your mom, Heathen..and may we all carry in the change for our country that so many who have passed and those still on Planet Earth believe in!

Sorry for the loss of your mother - - she sounds like a great lady. Thanks for the beautiful post.

into the voting booth with you, bring it out of your pocket, and 'pull the lever' for Obama in her name. I thought that was a touching thought also. Sorry for your loss. Mothers change your world once they die. Mine died in 2006.

A real "Rosie the riveter" in WWII who raised two sons in the 1950s-60s alone. She would have loved this.

Even more so, my late former in-laws. They both died in 2006 within days of each other, after 50 years of marriage. Father in law was a college professor (horrors!) who was passionately anti-war. I shall celebrate on their behalf for all of them the night of Nov. 4 if things go our way.

And I will raise a toast to your mom, too.

for your loss. She sounds like a wonderful woman.
I am just glad she felt hope and a sense of belonging at the end of her life - what a gift.

I am sorry to hear about your loss.

My mom passed in 2006. She probably would have voted for mcsame.

I think he'd really appreciate hearing that he inspired your Mom in her final days. Just reading what you wrote brought a lump to my throat and tears to my eyes.

I'm so very sorry you lost your Mom. :hug:

I don't know if he would see it himself, but it just might help the spirits of his staff.

I fight daily with my Democrat-yet-racist white parents about their refusal to vote this year. That another of their age, also from the South could make the change gives me hope for them in 2012.

Thanks for the post and the hope. Definitely send it to Obama's people. They are working hard and could use the extra boost of hope, themselves, I'm sure.

Condolences on the loss of your lovely mom.

:hug:

your mother was smart. She knew the "real thing" when she saw it. She has already left an impact on many,even though she didn't get to vote.

You are so lucky to have had her.

I am so sorry for your loss. I wish your mother could have survived to see President Obama, but I know she'll be there in spirit. My own mother passed away five years ago and I think of her often during this campaign and wish she could be here to see it as well. She would have loved him.

He would love knowing this.

Thank you for it, and I'm very sorry for your loss! :pals:

She seems to have been an amazing person.

:hug: Heathen57 :hug:

Lost my Mom many years ago, still miss her

So sorry for your loss.:cry: :hug:

She sounds like the kind of person I would have been proud to know. Sorry for your loss.

Thanks for sharing. K & R.

:hug:

O8)

Of course, we are still dealing with her loss, but it helps to know that she passed with her dignity and pride. The hospice where she was loved her and doted on her.

We lost my father 43 years ago, and she raised me through all the tough times. About 10 years ago, we changed roles when she moved in with us and we took care of her. I was next to her when she passed and it was an honor to be there to let her know she wasn't alone and we all loved her.

As they say: "She was one hell of a woman"

Moms are so hard to lose, but I'm glad she had hope in her heart. Thank you for sharing.

Thank you for sharing such a memorable post

Someone posted a beautiful email in GD not long ago. The thought has stayed with me ever since I read it. I hope it might bring you some comfort.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=4257104

I will take one of her small angels (she collected them) in my pocket and pull it out in the voting booth. She can help "pull the lever for Obama". A wonderful idea.

to hear of the loss of your beloved mother. Heartfelt condolences....
Thank you for bringing her memory here to share with us...
A beautiful woman...and I know the joy you'll feel when Barack Obama is our president...
Your mother's dream will come true...:hug:

peace~

:hug:

O8)

If my mom and dad, both Regan Democrats, were here with me I think I might be able to get them to pull that lever for Obama.

Through tears, (and this is twice today DU), this was a great read, and I thank you.

:hug: I hope the good memories you have of her life will give you comfort and peace.

I will say that I do believe that she will see Obama in the White House, from where she is now.

remembrance - I think we'll hear her cheer from above.

but she left me with my dad a year or so ago. There is nothing worse than losing a mama. I hug you.

I was just glad that she lived as long as she did. She did a lot of things in her life, and in the past few years, we would sit for hours and talk about her experiences.

I share your loss as well.

My dad is 79; sorry for your loss.


:hug:

And I'm sorry she didn't live long enough to vote for and see Obama in the White House.

My sympathies to to you and your family. And thank you for such a beautiful post.

You wrote a beautiful tribute to your mom and to Senator Obama. Thank you.

she proud of you right now! condolences for your loss :hug:

Our 89yo mother (also an avid Obama supporter) lives with us and we count every new day a blessing. You wrote a wonderful tribute to your mother and we thank you for sharing it here.

Eric & Alan

we fought so hard to keep her at home with us. I really didn't of any way but that. It is a very special gift to be able to return the love and caring that our parents gave to us. There were times it was tough of course, but every bit worth it.

I'm sure your mother appreciates all you do for her.

It's great your Mom was ready to vote again after 40 years of abstaining. I'm glad she was able to feel hope again before she passed away. Thank you for sharing this with us.

:hug: :hug: :hug:

:cry: I am so sorry for your loss. :hug:

RIP.

What a wonderful mother you had and a beautiful tribute you wrote.

And she had voted Repug in the last several elections. I commend YOUR mother. Blessings to her.

To you and your family. Your mother sounds like a truly wonderful person with a beautiful soul. I know what it is like to lose a parent and my heart truly goes out to you and your family

I'm glad that she was able to experience hope and inspiration in the last few months of her life and, like you, I know that she will be somewhere watching and cheering as Obama claims victory and is sworn in

Please do try and send this to Obama. And maybe you may want to give a copy to your local Obama headquarters -I know that many people will be inspired by the story of your mother

I've enclosed two poems that gave me some comfort after my mother's passing. If you want more, please let me know, I've got a whole lot of them. I read the second poem out at my mother's funeral service

My thoughts, prayers, condolences and sympathies to you and your family once again. That was a beautiful and profoundly moving tribute to your mother

HER JOURNEY

Don’t think of her as gone away,
her journey’s just begun,
life holds so many facets
this earth is only one.

Just think of her as resting
from the sorrow and the tears
in a place of warmth and comfort,
where there are no days and years.

Think how she must be wishing
that we could know today
how nothing but our sadness
can really pass away.

And think of her as living
in the hearts of those she touched,
for nothing loved is ever lost,
and she was loved so much.


"Remember Me" by David Harkin

Do not shed tears when I am gone
But smile instead because I have lived

Do not shut your eyes and pray to God that I'll come back
But open your eyes and see all that I have left behind

I know your heart will be empty because you cannot see me
But I still want you to be full of the love we shared

You can turn your back on tomorrow and live only for yesterday
Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of what happened between us yesterday

You can remember me and grieve that I have gone
Or you can cherish my memory and let it live on

You can cry and lose yourself, become distraught and turn your back on the world
Or you could do what I would want -smile, wipe away the tears, learn to love again and go on

They were beautiful. I'm printing them off and putting them alongside Mom's ashes along with her many angels.

I'm glad they could be of some help and comfort to you. Let me know (PM) me if you want me to send you any more -we've got a whole collection of them

:hug: :hug:

Thank you for sharing your mom with us.

It's a wonderful, touching affirmation of your mother's spirit.

I will think of her as I place my ballot into the slot.

We will all see the day, when Obama raises his hand and takes his oath of office, we will remember your mother, and her hope for the future...She already voted, with her heart.

he will win and she's going to be one happy, happy soul.

He's been gone 4 years now but I really think he'd like Obama. He was an ol' cowboy from Oklahoma but never caught the racism bug. Even though he served in Okinawa in WW2 he hated the Vietnam War and he hated Bush, the Iraq war and what they'd done to his country.

My condolences on your loss but it sounds like you loved you mom like I loved my Dad. That's a treasure that we share.

She sounded like an incredible woman.

my father died 6 months ago and was an Obama supporter, sadly he won't get to vote for him either. :pals:

Perhaps he and my mom will be watching as the vote are counted and Obama is declared the winner. They will probably be cheering from the balcony.

watching and cheering. :-)

My deepest and sincerest thoughts, prayers, condolences and sympathies to you and your family as well

:hug:

:hi:

Thank you for sharing your mother's story, it is very touching. She sounds like an extraordinary woman.

Your mother sounded like a wonderful person, and I am sorry she passed away before she could see the election. I'll consider her a guardian angel for what's to come next. :hug:

:hug: That was a beautiful story, and your mom sounds like an incredible woman.

Your post is very touching! She must have been a great friend as well as MOM.

My sincerest condolences on the passing of your beloved mother.

Thank you for sharing of yourself this way.

:hug:

She too was a big Obama supporter.

BEFORE OR ON ELECTION DAY....

FIND A FRIEND WHO WOULD VOTE BUT CANT WAIT IN LINE BECAUSE THEY HAVE KIDS....... BABYSIT

FOR MY CHILDREN WHO ARE OF AGE AND REGISTERED, I OFFER $50 IN SCRATCHERS FOR PROOF OF VOTING (NOT WHO)....... MAKE THIS OFFER

FOR MY NEIGHBOR WHO WILL BE OUT OF TOWN, I PROVIDED "VOTE BY MAIL" INFORMATION.....

.........IN HONOR OF MY MOTHER AND FATHER WHO CANNOT VOTE, I HAVE "FORCED 7 VOTES".... I HAVE THAT POWER...

YOU HAVE THAT POWER....

IN HONOR OF YOUR PARENTS Y O U H A V E T H A T P O W E R IN THEIR NAMES

:hug:

make it to early voting in North Carolina. She was born and raised in Charleston, SC, and she too does not think the color of Obama's skin has anything to do with his ability to lead this country out of the crisis it is currently in.

Fern also wanted badly to vote for Obama. I know because I had the pleasure of helping her vote for him in the primary back in March, because she was blind and required assistance. She was pretty sure even then that she wouldn't make it to the general election, but she was proud to do her part in the primary.

She had multiple myeloma, and passed away at the age of 84. She was a much more conservative Democrat than I am, originally from a farm in Iowa. I really miss her, she had a most unexpected, wicked sense of humor and was as smart as a whip.

My own mother told me the other day, that she thought Sarah Palin was going to make a great VP. It was like nails on a chalkboard. Very low information voter, and her ties to her evangelical church mean that no one can talk sense to her. Of course I'm glad she's still with us, but I could never respect her the way I did Fern.

When I was 13, my father passed away.

I was just finishing up eighth grade, and was sad and upset that not only would he not get to see my 8th grade graduation that was only a month away, but that he would also miss me in my school play. It was a Catholic school, and we had a very cool liberal nun as our religion teacher. Because of her, we were putting on Jesus Christ Superstar.

Because we didn't have enough little boys for all the parts, I was Pontius Pilate. When I told my friend Cathy (who was also in the play, as Judas...), she told me something that has always stuck with me...

"He has the best seat in the house..."

Do like I do, and think about that when you start to feel sad.

:hug:

Heathen57, I know my mother will be one of many elderly ladies who will cast the vote your mother would have wished. She's 89, and voting for a Dem for president for the first time since 1940.

Blessings to you and yours.

Sorry. Don't know how to delete dupe.

Losing a parent is always hard. When my father died, I felt I lost part of my identity in the world.

I can only wish you and your family well.

Obama is going to win anyway.

:cry:

for a while. But, it will get better. My heartfelt sympathies to you and your family.

of your wonderful mother. Sounds like she was a grand lady. She will be smiling down upon us as we celebrate the victory of President Barack Obama.

She love Hillary, but was a Democrat through and through. She would have voted for Obama.

Boy do I miss her today.

TODAY I voted straight party, of course. She would have been proud.

I'm sorry about your Mom. Hugs to you.

Your mother sounds like she was an open minded spirit and a wonderful woman!
CR

She absolutely sounds like a wonderful person. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

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...for your mother. I do not assert a religious preference--I seek to honor all beliefs. My only wish is to commend her spirit to a place that will receive her lovingly, and with the respect and reverence that her memory deserves.

her. I hope Obama's grandmother lives to see her grandson win.

her. I hope Obama's grandmother lives to see her grandson win.